Controversial Chesterfield green fields development go ahead 'another blow for community'

The latest plans for the site off Northmoor View, Brimington, which concern the density and type of housing, were passed by the council’s planning committee on Monday, August 23.

Developers already had planning permission to build 150 homes on the land but residents were ‘clinging to the hope’ the builders could be held up by recent archaeological finds.

Council leader Tricia Gilby said members of the committee had ‘reluctantly’ accepted planning officers’ recommendations to give the plans the green light – although she said a ‘red line’ had now been drawn to prevent any further development there in future.

Coun Gilby said: “This is yet another blow for the local community.

"Local residents are angry and devastated that the approved plans allow existing bungalows to be overlooked by new houses.”

MORE: Campaigners fight on as inspector passes plans for 397 homes on Derbyshire greenbelt

Developers’ initial plans for 300 homes were thrown out by the council, and the authority’s planning committee also rejected the current scaled down bid for 150 properties.

However, after an appeal in 2019, the planning inspectorate granted planning permission.

"We have been resigned to the fact that the development would go ahead since the autumn of 2019 when the government planning inspector overturned the decision of the democratically elected planning committee,” Coun Gilby said.

"The planning committee continue to understand the community’s concerns but the planning system, which is continually being changed by the government in of favour developers, prevents them from blocking the plans for fear of costly and unsuccessful appeals.

"However, in allowing the reserved matters application the planning committee have imposed a raft of conditions to protect the heritage, natural environment and local amenity of the area as far as they can.

“Our campaign has led to a red line being drawn around the edge of the proposed development to stop further building.

"We hope we have given inspiration to others in this situation.

"Without the fight, the outcome would have been much worse.

"Brimington councillors will now be monitoring the development very closely to make sure that the developer doesn't wriggle out of the conditions that the planning committee put in place.”

Developers the Vistry Group say their project will eventually provide much-needed housing and construction jobs.

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